Where?
Fakarava, French Polynesia.
When?
November 2020, for 5 nights.
I would say if you only stay North, 5 nights are perfect. If you also sleep in the South, maybe take 6 nights.
TIPS:
What to pack?
Passport
Wallet. papers etc
Earphones
Snorkeling equipment
Diving equipment (or you can rent it super easily, just bring your mask ideally). Don’t forget your diving journal!
Light Wetsuit (I am personally always cold) or a t-shirt to protect your skin while in the water
SwimsuitS
Sun glasses + cap
Ecofriendly sunscreen
Books + a journal to write all your memories
Pyjamas (+ sleeping mask + earplugs, up to you)
Camera, Gopro, underwater equipment
Waterproof bag
A small bag to put in your everyday bag so you can pick up trash when going to the beach
Toiletries (ideally eco friendly toothpaste, shampoo and body wash!)
Mask + Gel (covid)
If you have a buoy to go swimming and mark your location, perfect
Monoi / coconut oil / Tamanu (best aftersun, you can by it there too)
Anti mosquitoes
Flip flops
Sport outfit + shoes
Medicines if you take any
Super light clothes, it is super warm
Waterproof jacket, it also rains sometimes, and it is super useful after diving to get warm
One jacket/pullover for the evening or after diving
Beach towels
Water bottle (non plastic)
All the cables you need for your phone/camera etc
“Water shoes” to walk on dead reef, really practical!
Where to stay?
Relais Marama: What a nice place!
Adorable bungalows, 1min walk to the ocean, 3min walk to the lagoon.
Delicious breakfast included.
Common area with a kitchen, so super practical to cook when needed (and to save some money!). common bathrooms (super clean, hot water, space etc).
Bikes at disposal!
Reasonable prices for Fakarava.
Free Wifi.
Manuiti and her boyfriend are just adorable, welcoming, super helpful.
I cannot recommend more this place <3
Tetamanu village: Paradise at the south path
Gorgeous, right in front the South Pass, so ideal to dive.
A minimum of 2 nights and it is expensive (18000/night/pers but rates are decreasing, see website) BUT it is paradise, it includes the pick up and drop off to main island/airport, all the meals and daily activities.
Dives are at 7000CFP but I am sure you can lower it to 5000CFP and if not, Top Dive as an antenna there and will do a price of 5000CFP.
Havaiki Lodge: Drink a coconut seating in the lagoon
If you have a bit more budget, you can stay at this hotel. The location is really nice and THE plus are the tables in the water ^^
Also, surprisingly, the restaurant for lunch has reasonable prices. It is called “Le snack du requin dormeur”. They have poke bowls, veggie nuggets and a veggie burger for example. I recommend the “moelleux au chocolat avec glace au tarot” and simply the “coco glacé”. The BIG PLUS: you can eat on the tables in the lagoon!
You often see Nurse sharks too!
Open 11am-2pm
They also have Happy Hours every night at their other restaurant, the “Meko Bar”, and the spot is perfect for sunset. Highly recommended. Cocktails around 1400CFP.
Where to eat?
Your hotel or fare will most probably give you a list of all the snacks. Ask them.
I highly recommend “Le snack du requin dormeur”. They have poke bowls, veggie nuggets and a veggie burger for example. I recommend the “moelleux au chocolat avec glace au tarot” and simply the “coco glacé”. The BIG PLUS: you can eat on the tables in the lagoon!
Snack Rotoava is in he city center, on the lagoon, and has cute lights at night.
Snack Elda, a bit further but on the Lagoon too.
Snack Korikori, same, a bit further but great spot on the lagoon.
There is a pizza truck on the left after Snack Rotoava.
Good to know: The pizza truck and Snack Rotoava are OPEN on Sundays, even if their ads say the opposite.
What to do?
Just chill by the ocean, by the lagoon, at your hotel. Live the Tahitian vibe! If you stay at Relais Marama, it is a very nice spot to just take your time.
Take a bike an explore the island.
You have 2 options from Rotoava village.
Or you go NORTH, until PK10 (so it is 10km). At the very end you have the Pass, gorgeous. Right in front the PK9 landmark, when coming from the village, turn left and then you arrive on THE beach, with THE palm tree (the one on the pics). Schedule some time to go there, first for the bike (it will be 20k total), and then to just take the time to walk along this endless beach, it is breathtaking. Don’t forget to take a lot of water, sun protections AND a bag to pick up trash while you walk there. Also, there is a Marae at this spot so be mindful, respectful, and enjoy the vibe.
Or you go SOUTH, until PK15. Here there is an antenna, you can go even further but it is a dirt road and I do not think the bikes will appreciate. This is a more “monotonous” road and by the ocean and not the lagoon but you can stop all along the way to enjoy the natural pools created by the reef. Super relaxing.
There are many excursions (“Blue lagoon”, “Green Lagoon”, “pink beach”). I did not do them because we already did one in Rangiroa and it is expensive. But ask at your hotel/Fare AND look online because prices vary.
Chill at the Havaiki lodge, drink a coconut on the tables in the lagoon, tan, nap, read, wait for the happy hours to start and watch sunset. 3 afternoons in a row we just did nothing there (in the mornings we were doing a lot!).
Watch shooting stars! Every night, if you lie down on ocean side, you can see insane stars and shooting stars. Amazing moment.
Run along the ocean road. Nice run, almost no cars.
The church in Rotoava Village is cute and colourful inside, take 5min to stop.
Diving:
A dive is around 5000CFP. I recommend Dive Spirit and Top Dive.
To go to the South Pass (highly recommended), prices are around 30000CFP. This includes 2 dives, lunch and transportation (it is almost an hour of boat back and forth). I Highly recommend to go with Dive Spirit, the team is super nice (and qualified!) and the lunch at Tetamanu Village is a dream. Take sun protection but also warm clothes for the boat.
South pass IS impressive for the number of sharks but do not imagine a “wall” of sharks if you do not go at the right season and at night. The corals are breathtaking in front of Tetamanu Village.
North pass is also amazing. The number of marine species is impressive AND you have more chances to see Manta rays! The number of sharks was impressive too. If you can go to “Alibaba cave” it is a gorgeous spot (so many fishes and sharks).
Good to know:
If you come from Rangiroa, seat on the RIGHT side. the views are insane.
When you fly from Fakarava to Tahiti you most probably will stop in Rangiroa. For Faka - Rangiroa I recommend left side and for Rangiroa - Tahiti you choose: left side to see the atolls and later on Tahiti, right side if you want to fly over Moorea.
Take a pick up form the airport. I think almost all the hotels/fare offer it
In Rotoava Village, there are 3 groceries stores in the main village. 2 of them close at 05:30pm and one of then at 05:00pm so go on time for your shopping!
Groceries stores are closed on Sundays.
Groceries stores receive fresh vegetables and fruits on Wednesdays so best day to go groceries and take for the length of your stay at once!At the big shop in front of the school, they sell local Tamanu and coconut oil.
Sunset spots:
Havaiki Lodge
Just after the church, when you come from the school/town-hall, there is a phone cabin on your right. Here there is a small beach and it is a know spot to see nurse sharks!
Grill Rotoava
Anywhere facing the lagoon is an option to be honest, always beautiful
ENJOY!